Husker Hustle

Abby Miller, CEO and founder of Pat on Tap, combined her passion for cattle and community by creating a business that provides vintage flair and fun to events. Miller speaks about her experience as a student entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of taking constructive criticism and using it to transform your ideas and watch your business soar.  Miller talks about the importance of hard work, but also prioritizing relationships with people and making sure you give yourself a break every once in a while.  Tune in to see how as a student, Miller turned a small idea into a booming business.  

Maria Heyen graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2023. Now currently funding start-ups as a venture capitalist at Redbud, she got her start in the Center for Entrepreneurship with her own company Playbook and went on to lead the Husker Venture Fund as managing director.  Heyen credits her opportunities and success within the industry to her drive to create community. Erica Casarin and Heyen used each other as accountability partners at the onset of their two businesses.  Listen as Heyen gives advice to young entrepreneurs and what she looks for when evaluating enterprises seeking funding.  

From student to teacher, Hailey Demers knows the importance of cultivating creativity on our campuses.  DeMers is the founder of Heartland Sounds, a music company bringing together rural community artists to perform for weddings, concerts, and special events – which she started as a colligate within the Engler program.  DeMers is now the Chief Creative Officer with the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program and a singer. DeMers talks about the brain drain from Nebraska and how no one is too big to do any small task.  Listen for more Engler insights like “sweep the shed.”  

Will Anderson and Maci Wilson are current seniors studying software engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln within the Raikes program. Raikes is a computer science-focused honors program at UNL. Anderson and Wilson are leaders of the INFR team for the Raikes program’s Design Studio. According to the program, “Students gain a head start in their careers by participating in product development teams, working with real clients to understand complex business requirements, and developing innovative solutions to wicked problems.” Wilson pitched her company INFR, a software designed to aid in data and file organization, to join Design Studio for her final year at the university. A past winner of the New Venture Competition, her first business failed. Both Anderson and Wilson discuss how important failure is as a student. 

Erika Casarin, founder and CEO of The Palette Project, brings the community together by painting murals for non-profit organizations. This project was started through Casarin’s passion for art and bringing people together. Casarin becomes emotional when recalling her time as a collegiate participating in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's New Venture Competition. She reflects on countless hours spent practicing and cultivating her presentation.